Women Executives Optimistic

Worries about the ailing economy and rising health-care costs aren't keeping women business executives from trying to grow their companies, according to Women Impacting Public Policy, a Washington, D.C-based advocacy group.

Nearly half of 278 women business executives surveyed said they expect to add up to five new employees this year, the group reported. Up to 82 percent said they weren't planning on downsizing their business as a result of the slowing economy, which 62 percent cited as their biggest concern, followed by health-care costs and the environment.

Some 90 percent of respondents said they support congressional proposals that give small businesses access to the same insurance as government employees, while half said they supported mandates to boost technical innovation aimed at reducing the country's oil dependency.

"The response from women entrepreneurs clearly reflects the growing concern with the U.S. economic outlook," Barbara Kasoff, the group's president, said in a statement. "Given the key role that small business plays in our overall economy, the survey results can help shape federal and state policies," she said.